
even though his own posterity might then
become a great nation. In his love for them
he had prayed that his name might be
blotted from the book of life rather than
that they should be left to perish. He had
imperiled all for them, and this was their
response. All their hardships, even their
imaginary sufferings, they charged upon
him; and their wicked murmurings made
doubly heavy the burden of care and re-
sponsibility under which he staggered. In
his distress he was tempted even to dis-
trust God. His prayer was almost a com-
plaint."—Ibid., pp. 379, 380.
4.
What arrangement was made to
help Moses in his work? Num. 11:16,
17, 24, 25.
NOTE.—"The Lord permitted Moses to
choose for himself the most faithful and
efficient men to share the responsibility with
him. Their influence would assist in hold-
ing in check the violence of the people, and
quelling insurrection; yet serious evils
would eventually result from their promo-
tion. They would never have been chosen
had Moses manifested faith corresponding
to the evidences he had witnessed of
God's power and goodness."—Patriarchs
and Prophets,
page 380.
5.
How did Moses again reveal his
noble meekness and unselfishness?
Num. 11:27-29.
NOTE.—"Again evidence was given of the
lofty, unselfish spirit of the great leader.
Two of the seventy, humbly counting
themselves unworthy of so responsible a
position, had not joined their brethren
at the tabernacle ; but the Spirit of God
came upon them where they were, and
they, too, exercised the prophetic gift. On
being informed of this, Joshua desired to
check such irregularity, fearing that it
might tend to division. Jealous for the
honor of his master, 'My lord Moses,' he
said, 'forbid them.' The answer was, 'En-
viest thou for my sake? would God that
all the Lord's people were prophets, and
that the Lord would put His Spirit upon
them.'"—Patriarchs and Prophets,
pages
381, 382.
Trouble in Moses' Family
6.
Who made the next serious at-
tack on Moses' authority? Num. 12:
1-3.
NOTE.—"Their accusations were borne by
Moses in uncomplaining silence. It was the
experience gained during the years of toil
and waiting in Midian—the spirit of hu-
mility and long-suffering there developed
—that prepared Moses to meet with pa-
tience the unbelief and murmuring of the
people and the pride and envy of those
who should have been his unswerving
helpers. Moses 'was very meek, above all
the men which were upon the face of the
earth,' and this is why he was granted
divine wisdom and guidance above all
others. Says the Scripture, 'The meek will
He guide in judgment: and the meek will
He teach His way.' Psalm 25:9. The meek
are guided by the Lord, because they are
teachable, willing to be instructed. They
have a sincere desire to know and to do
the will of
God."—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 384.
7.
How was this challenge met by
the Lord? Num. 12:4-15.
Nora.—"This manifestation of the Lord's
displeasure was designed to be a warning
to all Israel, to check the growing spirit
of discontent and insubordination. If Mir-
iam's envy and dissatisfaction had not been
signally rebuked, it would have resulted
in great evil. Envy is one of the most
satanic traits that can exist in the human
heart, and it is one of the most baleful
in its effects. . . .
"It should not be regarded as a light
thing to speak evil of others or to make
ourselves judges of their motives or ac-
tions. 'He that speaketh evil of his brother,
and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of
the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou
judge the law, thou art not a doer of the
law, but a judge.' James 4:11. There is
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